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Dog Worms and Natural Dog Worm Treatment
Dog worms - not exactly a pleasant topic at the dinner table... Unfortunately, they are a common experience for our dogs, and many puppies (and, for that matter, kittens) are born with a mild infestation of worms. It may be revolting to think about it, but the truth is, many healthy adult dogs may also carry a small number of relatively harmless intestinal parasites. However, some dog worms can cause serious health issues - particularly if the dog's immune system is weak, or if the infestation becomes severe. If you suspect that your dog has worms, it is advisable to have a fecal analysis done by your veterinarian to determine the type and severity of your dog's worm infestation. There are four common types of worms that can be found inside our four-legged friend: Tapeworms in DogsTapeworms are commonly found in dogs. They can be transmitted by fleas, food sources, or feces.Although the appearance of tapeworms is revolting, they are seldom a big threat to our dog's health. We will not even notice that our dog has tapeworms unless our vet has a fecal analysis done. Sometimes, however, we can see body segments of the worms on our dog's feces or on the hair near the anus. If our dog is healthy and has a strong immune system, tapeworm infestation is usually short-term and harmless. TopRoundworms in DogsRoundworms are common in puppies. Some puppies acquire roundworms from their mothers, and infestation can only be detected by fecal analyses. Roundworms can pose a more serious threat to the health of puppies. In serious cases, they may cause illnesses and even death.If infestation is heavy, the puppies will show some of the following signs:
Hookworms in DogsHookworms are not as common as tapeworms and roundworms but they cannot be overlooked. Hookworms can be transmitted to puppies in the same way as roundworms.The worms are very small and are difficult to be detected. Heavy infestation of hookworms poses a serious health problem to puppies since the worms attach to the intestinal walls and suck blood. Some symptoms of hookworks in dogs are:
Whipworms in DogsWhipworms usually affect young adult dogs. Persistent, watery diarrhea is a sign of prolonged infestation, which may cause severe intestinal distress to the dog. Diagnosis of infestation is by fecal analysis. TopDog Worm TreatmentSince roundworms, hookworms and whipworms can cause great distress on our dog's intestinal and immune systems, fecal analyses and, if infestation is confirmed, deworming is recommended. After deworming, milder alternatives, such as herbs or minerals, can be added to our dog's food to keep the intestinal parasites in check.However, since deworming involves the use of rather strong chemicals which may put additional stress on our dog's body, it is not advisable to use such a program to get rid of tapeworms, which are generally harmless. Try the following milder herbal and other natural alternatives. They are more gentle on your dog. TopHerbal Remedies for Dog WormsGarlic / FennelGarlic and/or fennel can be fed to your dog to encourage expulsion of intestinal parasites. (Give garlic to your dog in moderation.) Pumpkin seeds Freshly-ground pumpkin seeds can also be fed to your dog to treat tapeworm infestation. A tincture of oregon grape can be fed to your dog to treat intestinal worms. (6 drops/10 pounds of body weight, twice a day for a week. Discontinue use for 2-3 days before resuming the twice daily dosage). TopOther Natural Remedies for Dog WormsHomeopathy for Dog Tapeworms The homeopathic remedy Granatum Vermifuge is effective in preventing and getting rid of tapeworms.
DE is actually the fossilized remains of some prehistoric planktons. The fine particles in the earth cut through the exoskeletons of insects (such as worms, fleas, mites, etc.) resulting in dehydration and the insects will usually die in a few hours. DE is natural and is totally safe for internal use for pets. Make sure, however, that you use the natural unrefined type (available at herbal suppliers, natural food stores and sometimes pet stores) and add up to 1 teaspoon of diatomaceous earth to each meal. Wheat-germ Oil Add up to 1 teaspoon of the oil to each meal to discourage tapeworms. Oat Bran Add up to 2 teaspoons of oat bran to each meal. The idea is to let the roughage carry out the worms. Grated raw carrots or turnips can also be fed in the same manner. Health Care for Dogs with WormsA dog with worm infestations is very often weak due to malnutrition (the worms rob the dog of a lot of essential nutrients) and/or anemia.It is therefore important to replenish the supply of essential nutrients to strengthen up the dog's immunity. Diet While your dog is being treated for worms, it is essential to feed him foods that are nutritious. A diet high in protein and fat is desirable (e.g. 40% of the diet should come from meat or eggs). Add a bit of olive oil to the dog's food for fat supply. Some intestinal parasites (e.g. hookworms) can remove large amounts of blood from your dog, making him anemic. To replenish the all-important iron that is lost in the blood, give him raw organic liver once daily for two to four weeks. Improve Digestion Even if you feed your dog nutritious foods, he cannot get all the nutrients he needs if the foods are not fully digested. To ensure that he can properly digest the foods and absorb the nutrients, feed him supplements of digestive enzymes and probiotics. References D. Hamilton, Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs (North Atlantic Books, 1999).
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